An 11-month-old complaint has been brought up by a Northland council watchdog who says he is on a mission to uncover "lies and deceit".
In August 2015, Warren Slater was at a public community meeting also attended by Whangarei District Council staff, and councillors Sharon Morgan and Greg Martin. During a roading issue discussion, a community member referenced "dwarf corner" when speaking to councillors Martin and Morgan.
Mr Slater says the councillors acknowledged the term. Councillors Martin and Morgan - individually and through the council's legal counsel - deny this.
The term "dwarf corner" was a reference to a corner on Three Mile Bush Rd, near Alan Agnew's home. Mr Agnew is a little person, and told the Advocate the term "dwarf" was offensive.
"I don't like that word used, to be honest. If you want to use anything, it's 'little people'," Mr Agnew said.